CHAIR —I declare open this second day of public hearings into the public hearing of the United Nations Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. These two days are the final public hearings in our inquiry into Australia's relationship with the United Nations and the

CHAIR —I call the committee to order. I welcome the officers from the Department of Defence and thank them for appearing before the subcommittee again, having appeared in May last year. We are very grateful for your making yourselves available again. I must advise you that the proceedings here today

CHAIR —I call the committee to order and I welcome Mr Chris Sidoti to the hearing, who would be well known to most members in his former role as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commissioner. I must advise you that the proceedings here today are legal proceedings of the

CHAIR —I welcome the officers from the Attorney-General's Department, who gave us evidence during a public hearing in May last year. I appreciate your coming forward again before the subcommittee. I must advise you that the proceedings here today are legal proceedings of the parliament and warrant the same respect

CHAIR —I call the committee to order. Our final witnesses today are AusAID, whose officers have returned after appearing before us in August last year. Your evidence will most likely be the last that the subcommittee takes as part of the inquiry before we bring down our report. I welcome